10 minutes with Rob Brydon

'People can empathise more with you if you're battered around the edges'

The Welsh comedian on ghostwriters, hair transplants and the pressure to be funny.

Do you feel like you always have to be funny?Yes, and it can be tiring when you're not in the mood. I remember seeing Courtney Love on Jonathan Ross's show once and all she had to do was answer the questions. Whereas when I am on his show, I feel that if I'm not funny, I'm not keeping up my end of the deal.If you were lazy and illiterate, who would you ask to ghostwrite your autobiography?I was shocked at how many people assumed I would have a ghostwriter. I wanted it to have my voice. But if I had to choose, it would be Alan Bennett, because it would be great to spend time with him. Why does your book finish in 2000?I wanted to write my life story up to a certain point. When I first had success in 2000, journalists would write about my years of struggle and it surprised me. Now, with the perspective of time, I can see that it was a hell of a struggle. I used to throw so much mud at the wall, waiting for it to stick.What was your darkest moment?Not long before my big break came I remember thinking it was probably never going to happen for me. It was 1997 and I thought, 'This is my life now': a little bit of voice work and a little bit of presenting work on a regional scale. Are the rumours that you've had a hair transplant true?There's a roaring trade in people being body-snatched from the street and having their hair cut and then put on to the heads of minor celebrities like myself. I seemed to have played a part in it, but unwittingly. There is a theory that comedians shouldn't be too buff - do you agree?People can empathise more with you as a comedian if you're battered around the edges. I certainly tick that box - people don't feel threatened by me. Who's the funniest stand-up you've seen?Robin Williams for the intensity of laughter. I saw him a couple of years ago at a charity gala and he per-formed his Weapons of Self Destruction tour. When he finished his set, he went on to improvise with the audience, which included Prince Charles.Do you have a moral responsibility as a comedian?Personally, I think I do. There are things that I wouldn't make jokes about. When it comes to swearing, I think some comedians using profane language is really to their detriment. But then if Billy Connolly wants to do it, he can - the man's a giant. Small Man in a Book is published by Michael Joseph in hardback at £20 and enhanced ebook at £14.99